GANDHINAGAR: The BJP is pinning its hopes on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s charisma to pull off a massive victory for the party in Gujarat this election. Senior BJP leaders claim that they plan to carpet-bomb the state with the PM addressing no less than 50 public meetings ahead of the assembly elections in December.

“Modi may address 50 to 70 such meetings across South Gujarat, Saurashtra, Kutch and Central Gujarat. The PM may start a full-fledged campaign after November 10, when he will address two-three public meetings various different parts of the state,” a source said.

The PM has already visited his home state close to 10 times since January in this crucial election year, clearly indicating that the Gujarat election is nothing short of a ‘battle of prestige’ for the BJP and Modi. Also, since Modi’s departure from Gujarat’s political scene in 2014, the BJP in the state lacks a credible mass leader to lead the electoral battle in the state.

“Earlier, the BJP had planned 15 to 18 rallies but now the party has requested the PM to address at least 50 large and medium-sized public meetings and to take out as many road shows as possible,” the BJP source added.

During the upcoming elections, Modi is likely to do ‘social media town halls’ and address several public meetings using digital media.

“Our social media team is working on a plan to organise the maximum possible social media town-halls for different voter segments such as youth and women. Modi may also address them through an audio bridge,” a source said.

UP CM among star campaigners

Besides the demand for speeches by PM Narendra Modi and national BJP president Amit Shah, there is great demand from party workers across the state for UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath to address similar meetings. The ruling party is planning to have the maximum possible public meetings by Yogi Adityanath in the state.